MLB Player News

Stewart started for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday in the club's 4-3 loss to Salt Lake, tossing three innings and giving up two runs on four hits and a walk.

It was Stewart's first appearance in the Pacific Coast League since being optioned back to the minors six days earlier. The right-hander had made three appearances out of the bullpen during his latest stint with the Dodgers, so that likely explains why Oklahoma City limited him to 65 pitches Thursday as he rejoined the rotation. The Dodgers have been dealing with a deluge of injuries to their starting staff in recent weeks, but with Rich Hill (finger) on tap to come off the disabled list next week, any opening for Stewart in the big-league rotation has seemingly closed.

Poncedeleon was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Friday, Rob Rains of Stlsportspage.com reports.

Poncedeleon was recently recalled from Memphis but failed to appear in any big-league games during his time with the Cardinals. Through 58 innings of work at the Triple-A level in 2018, he's logged a 2.48 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with a 71:35 K:BB. Expect to see him back in the majors later this year.

Medina has allowed just three earned runs in his last four starts for High-A Clearwater.

Over that same stretch, the 21-year-old righty has struck out 22 batters while walking just five. His slow start to the season means his ERA still sits at a mediocre 4.27, and his strikeout rate is a pedestrian 19.7 percent after it had spiked up to 26.3 percent with Low-A Lakewood last season.

Boxberger struck out two in the ninth inning to record his 15th save of the season Thursday against the Mets.

Boxberger appeared in a save situation for the first time since he blew his second save of the season June 6. However, he looked sharp, striking out two of the three batters he faced. He has now converted 15 of his 17 save chances on the season.

Koch (5-3) allowed two earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out five across six innings to earn the win Thursday against the Mets.

Koch overcame two solo home runs by allowing only two other baserunners across his six innings of work. It was a nice bounceback effort after he was knocked around for five earned runs in his last start, which came at Coors Field. His 11 starts have had plenty of ups and downs as he has allowed five or more earned runs on three occasions, but three or fewer in the rest. Still, his time in the rotation may be limited with both Robbie Ray (oblique) and Shelby Miller (elbow) in the midst of rehab stints.

Johnson will be on the Giants' taxi squad Friday, which hints that he'll be called up from Triple-A Sacramento to join the bullpen, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

San Francisco won a 16-inning marathon against the Marlins on Thursday, requiring Ty Blach to throw 6.2 relief innings in the process. He might be the roster casualty as the Giants look to summon a fresh arm in his place. Johnson holds a 5.83 ERA in 23 major-league appearances this season, so if he gets the call, he'll likely serve as a mop-up type.

Hudson, who's 8-2 with a 2.18 ERA over 74.1 innings across 12 starts for Triple-A Memphis, could be called up at some point this summer, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The organization's No. 11-ranked prospect, Hudson has allowed just one home run all season, and only three overall in 113 innings at the Triple-A level. The 23-year-old right-hander would have to be added to the 40-man roster were he to be called up, and Trezza explains that typically would serve as a substantial obstacle. However, the Cardinals could easily open up a spot on the 40-man in the wake of Alex Reyes' season-ending lat injury, as they've yet to place him on the 60-day disabled list. Given his impressive body of work thus far this season and the fact that Luke Weaver is also struggling of late, it's conceivable the team opts to eventually give Hudson at least a turn or two through the big-league rotation to see what he can do.

Vizcaino allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to record the save Thursday against the Padres.

Vizcaino successfully converted his 13th save of the season after he was called upon in the ninth inning to preserve a two-run lead for the Braves. Despite allowing at least one baserunner in each of his past five appearances, he has now successfully converted his past six save chances and hasn't blown a save since May 15.

Wittgren (finger) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Jacksonville on Thursday.

Wittgren has been on the disabled list since June 2 with a bruised finger. The Marlins haven't determined how many rehab appearances the 27-year-old will need to make before returning, leaving his return date up in the air. Wittgren compiled a 3.06 ERA and 17:10 K:BB across 17.2 innings prior to landing on the disabled list.

Blach (4-5) threw 6.2 shutout innings and earned the win in relief Thursday, working around seven hits and two walks while striking out three during the Giants' 16-inning win over the Marlins.

The former rotation member basically served that role in this one out of the bullpen, as he chewed up innings after Hunter Strickland blew the save in the ninth. He almost finished the game but gave way to Sam Dyson for the final out. Blach should resume his typical bullpen role whenever he's next summoned, but he'll probably need at least a few days of rest before that happens.